We challenged game developers, storytellers, interactive designers, and app developers to create new multi-screen experiences with a focus on digitized historical footage. We offered the chance to develop innovative ideas, together with a team of creative thinkers, expert makers, and creative developers.

Waag Society, Nieuwmarkt 4, 1012 CR Amsterdam

It was a great, inspiring event!

A 3-day Hackathon-dedicated for creatives, entrepreneurs, designers, directors and developers, who had the opportunity to experiment with Smart Audio/Video formats and come up with inspiring applications that create new TV experiences for the public or private domain, using Europeana content. This Hackathon was organized by the Europeana TV pilot of Europeana Space

Cultural Heritage = Engaging Stories

Bring history lessons to life, make games for museums, or play with art in a public space. Anything multi-screen is possible! As long as it incorporates multiple devices and heritage material, it’s fair game.

A New Playground for Content Developers

During this Europeana Space Hacking Culture Bootcamp hackathonees could experiment with millions of items from heritage institutions all across Europe via Europeana, Europe’s online cultural hub. Through Europeana you can find open data, audio files, photos, paintings, 3D images, historical stories and archival footage. Participants had access to the entire Waag Society Fablab, making use of all the machines, from 3D printers to laser cutters. Waag Society facilitated design processes, provided equipment and technological support in collaboration with Proton Labs.

Preparation & Skills

Our focus lies on strong interactive concepts. Having a good idea is enough to join the bootcamp, but being familiar with HTML, CSS, and Javascript (with some optional Java on the server side) is a plus. All technology was provided and supported by Noterik who developed the video application. You can find their open source software toolkit under the GPL3.0 license on GitHub. Of course, participants were also free to bring their own hardware and software. Cultural heritage experts from RBB, Luce, and Sound and Vision were also be on hand to share their knowledge about the content and creative innovation within the cultural heritage heritage sector.

Judging

Anything multi-screen could qualify as long as it incorporates multiple devices and makes use of digitalized cultural heritage content. The focus was on the project’s potential applications rather than the content used. The jury looked at several aspects of each concept:

Relevance and value to the cultural heritage Sector. Does the proposition offer a new application or perspective on the use of the digitalized cultural heritage content and/or the services made available by Europeana? Does the proposition use, re-use, or facilitate the use or re-use of digitalized cultural heritage material? It is important to remember that these projects are not only confined to the museum space. Participants are free to choose their own field for exploration.

Business potential & job creation objective. Does the proposition hold a strong position against current and likely competitors? What is the composition and size of target market(s) for this proposition?

Likelihood of success. How likely is the proposition to be adopted by users? Does the team have the skills and capacity to successfully accomplish and launch a new business concept?

Innovation & quality & uniqueness. How innovative, new, or original is the idea? (New technology, original approach, potential uptake by target users) What is the quality of the concept? (Form, function, aim)

The three best concepts will now progress to an intensive hands-on business modeling workshop in London! The workshop will be curated and run by minds behind the renowned REMIX Summits.

The objective of this full-day session will be to explore the business potential of the project ideas. At the workshop, these three finalists will have an additional chance to win three months of tailored business incubation from world-class industry leaders via Skype. Incubation participants will be asked to complete a series of mentored courses over an intensive three-month period. By the end of the Incubation period, the business plan for each project team will be ready either for pitching to investors, or for launching directly (as applicable).

Hackathon Day 3, May 10

Hacking Culture Debate. Following Hackathon Day 1, May 8 h.20.00

As part of Hacking Culture Bootcamp, we also organized a debate where we talked with experts and the public about media strategies and the potential of cross-media, interactive concepts for broadcasters and museum sector. Which new technologies are available, and how can we come up with useful applications for them in these areas?

We started with practical examples by looking at new forms of storytelling and strategies to engage the public.

Speakers were:

Wilko van Iperen is the head of the Digital & Innovation Division of the KRO-NCRV. In 2014, he was nominated for a Cross Media Award for the second time. He is also involved in the development and implementation of successful television programs.

Jane Finnis, of Culture24 in the UK, developed the app, Vangoyourself. Culture24 is an independent, non-profit company that exists to support the cultural sector to reach and connect with audiences.

Simon Cronshaw (REMIX Summits) discusses factors for success. He has years of experience in the field of cultural and technological entrepreneurship,including co-founding CultureLabel.com, a VC-backed ecommerce marketplace selling homeware, art and gifts from over 800 leading cultural institutions Worldwide.

Rutger Verhoeven is head of Digital of BNN-Vara, he is responsible for the implementation of social media in TV-shows, storytelling concepts, mobile applications and second screens.

Meet the Team and Get Information about the Program. Pre-event, April 9

20:00

Welcome

20:05

Introducing the project (what, when, how, why – by Waag Society)

20:20

Q&A

20:25

Assembling the teams & teambuilding

21:35

Practical information about technology and the toolkit & available content (by Sound & Vision and Noterik)